PETALING JAYA: To be assured of safe and regulated care, patients seeking traditional medicine treatments are urged to check that the practitioners are registered with the Health Ministry.
Coalition of Traditional Malay Medicine Practitioners Association Malaysia (Gapera) founder and president Adzhar Latif said registered practitioners provide patients with the assurance of safety of medicines and treatments.
“This issue has existed for a long time. Some individuals have taken advantage of gaps in the system, including insurance claims and other healthcare matters.
“We’ve heard of such cases for many years,” he said.
Now, with new regulations in force, the ministry aims to distinguish legitimate practitioners from the unethical operators, he said.
Malaysian Association of Traditional Indian Medicine (Peptim) president Sivakkumaran Tirumalai raised concerns about unregulated foreign practitioners.
“Many foreigners have come here, stayed in hotels and offered treatments while charging high fees.
“The government is doing the right thing. Many foreigners come from China and India, and make significant profits,” he said.
Even if regulatory enforcement presents challenges for some traditional Indian medicine practitioners, Sivakkumaran said these measures will enhance professionalism and protect patients.
“Practitioners without proper qualifications will have to seek alternative careers. We have already informed members and are strict about compliance,” he added.
Starting today, unregistered traditional medicine practitioners in Malaysia may face fines or imprisonment under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (Act 775).
Dr Tajul Iqmal Tajul Arus, of the Health Ministry, said practising without a valid certificate or failing to display one is punishable by a fine of up to RM30,000 or two years’ jail for a first offence, which is increased to RM50,000 or three years’ jail for repeat violations.
Providing false or misleading information regarding services carries the same penalties.
As of Feb 25, the ministry has received 18,802 registration applications across seven recognised fields.
By Jan 17, 14,312 practitioners were registered, with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) leading at 7,097, followed by Malay (4,541), Islamic (1,445), homeopathy (469), chiropractic (446), traditional Indian medicine (310) and osteopathy (four).
Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupuncturists Associations Malaysia president Ng Po Kok said stricter enforcement may prompt some elderly TCM practitioners to retire, as they may feel registration is unnecessary.
“We estimate that over 80% of TCM practitioners have already registered.
“Many assumed that the government would not enforce the law. Others, meanwhile, adopted a wait-and-see approach, thinking that the regulations were not yet fully developed,” he said.
Ng acknowledged that after years of operating without regulation, the sudden introduction of this law has created challenges for practitioners.
While it protects consumers, it also imposes restrictions such as limiting the use of certain herbal formulas passed down through generations.
“Many TCM practitioners are still unclear about the details of the law, so they may unknowingly violate the regulations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Chinese Medical Association president Heng Aik Teng said the ministry has clarified that after enforcement begins today, clinics still awaiting approval or with pending practising certificates may continue operating.
However, they must provide proof of payment for their registration application if requested by enforcement officers.
“Practitioners waiting for approval can use their (registration) payment receipt as proof. However, I urge our members not to wait until the last minute to register,” he said.
